Kyle Paranada and the UE Red Warriors. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Oriental University coach Jack Santiago challenged the Red Warriors to prove they belong in the league by taking down one of the top teams in La Salle.
Warriors respond to their coach’s challenge to the brothers Kyle and Nikko Paranada Sink big hits in a time of crisis to upset the Green Archers, 81-74, for their second win in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“The last time UE beat La Salle was in 2019. We had a chance to play against strong teams. That’s why I challenged them in mining before, to be part of this season we beat a big team like La Salle,” said Santiago after frustrating the Archers. green people who have win big against Ateneo Blue Eagles Last Sunday.
“And they did, that’s why I’m so happy and proud of the boys.”
Having dropped eight points during the payoff period, Kyle Paranada scored 13 of his 20 points in the final six minutes to end a three-year dry spell. The last time UE beat La Salle was when Rey Suerte has sunk a game winner for an 89-88 win last September 14, 2019.
Santiago praised his side for slowly adapting to his system, which closely resembles that of La Salle coach Derick Pumaren, after claiming his second win in four games – over through their winless Season 84.
UE guard Kyle Paranda led the Red Warriors to UAAP’s most recent win. –UAAP PHOTO
“I just say to my players, to be part of the top four we have to level up as a team. Especially since we are facing La Sale, maybe, I can say, the system we have right now is almost like Manong Derick. I’ve been Franz Pumaren’s assistant coach for many years, and I’m just continuing the Franz coach’s system,” he said.
Santiago says the Red Warriors were inspired after National University finishes seven skateboards against defending champion University of the Philippines.
“I was just instructing my boys to be a part of history. Especially in the previous game, NU beat UP, so maybe my players are also inspired to be a part of history. We gave our all to beat the La Salle team,” said the UE coach.
After losing to a Final Four contender, UE is still hungry for more wins against the University of Santo Tomas (1-3) on Sunday.
“As I always say, we need to beat a strong team to be recognized. Not just to get recognized but also to upgrade their game. We have to maintain games like that,” said Santiago. “Hopefully, we can win against La Salle in our next game against UST on Sunday. Currently, imported UST is playing well so we need to play defensively with him.”
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